AETHER BEASTS

Chapter 235

[And with this chapter the arc ends.]

I awoke early the next day before the rising of the sun and in a tangled pile of limbs. Memories of the previous night's events played in my head, and as I gazed down at my lovers I couldn't help but smile. Each was still asleep in blissful peace, and it was that fact that kept me from doing anything. I didn't think any of them would complain about being woken up in such a way, but there was no point in risking it, and disturbing them so after slowly disentangling myself from my lovers, I put on some clothes, a basic set of robes, and headed out to the main room.

Breakfast was already there which was a surprise, and made me wonder how early they placed it or if they somehow knew when I was awake. Either way, the numerous plates of food looked very appetizing and after taking a seat I dug in with gusto, feeling far hungrier than normal for some reason.

As I ate, I thought of what waited for me today and what it would mean.

Today was my last day in the plains before. Actually, it was more like my last few hours as from what Zirani had said, we'd be living a few hours after the rising of the sun, around noon. In a few hours, I would leave behind the plains, my home for most of my life, and where I'd met Zirani, Sandra, and Misty.

It wasnt sadness that I felt, or at least not completely. I certainly felt sadness at the idea that it would more than likely be a while before I saw my aunt again, which would happen. I was leaving, but not forever. I would return for her, of that, I had no doubt nor a shred of uncertainty. She was my family far more than my supposed parents who had left me. I still didn't know how to feel about that.

If they had good reason then did I really have any right to complain? Then again, they could have kept, not that I would have picked that had I somehow known as a child what would happen if I stayed in the plains.

Them leaving had led to where I was, so I guess I could thank them for that at the very least.

It was one of my goals for when I reached the lands beyond the scar, though it wasnt the main goal and I wasn't in a rush. There wasn't a huge desire to go seek them out. I would search but first, I wanted to settle down, mainly in the lands of the green court.

There would be a lot to get through during my initial time there as I would have to meet and impress Zirani's mother and no doubt others of the court, and then what came next would be training of course, but also exploration, I hoped. There was a lot Zirani had shown me glimpses of, and I wanted to see such sights for myself.

Having Zirani, their princess, as my bonded would be both a boon and something that would undoubtedly cause problems.

Taking a bite of buttered bread with an odd cream atop it, I leaned back and smiled. Things had been fine during our stay in this city, but i sort of missed the constant activity, and progression we'd had in the tower. I didn't know if it was the leaps we made in progress or the fact it felt like we were constantly improving, but it had felt good. Hard, difficult, and a fight for our lives, but still good.

I was almost done when I felt the others awake through my bonds, and a moment later they stepped out, dressed in casual wear, and joined me at the table.

"I feel so relaxed," Sandra said with a yawn.

"I think that's because of last night," Misty said. "We passed out from the pleasure. It was… something else."

"An understatement," Zirani. "I don't think I've been that out of control or overloaded with such sensation in a long time. It was nice but we should be careful to not overdo it."

"I agree," I said. "It was phenomenal, but also would be dangerous if we were to do such a thing in a place where we could be vulnerable."

The others agreed, and the rest of breakfast was filled with idle talk about trivial topics such as having everything we need ready in our storage rings, and Zirani explained how things would be happening.

"We pack up these buildings first," Zirani explained. "While we get the vehicles ready and sorted. Then we leave the same way the expedition came in. As for who we'll be riding with, Sandra do you wish to ride with us or the Umbrin clan. You are sort of in charge of them now that their head representative for the expedition is sworn to you."

Sandra thought about it for a moment before turning to me. "Would you ride with me?"

I shrugged. "Sure. It's not like we can't move back on forth. We just need to make sure the Umbrin clan and Green Court groups are next to each other."

I could tell through the bond she wished to travel with them because she wanted to build up connections and not seem like she was hiding or didn't care which made sense. She wanted me along because she wanted someone to talk to and have her back just in case, which also made sense and I, of course, was more than happy to oblige her.

I didn't think Kai would try anything, I certainly knew Pate wouldn't, but better to be safe than sorry and get a feel for how Kai was.

Once we were done with breakfast, the day began in earnest and once we stepped outside, it was to the sight of everything being packed away just as Zirani said. The buildings were being dismantled and there was a group waiting outside ours.

They bowed to Zirani before they got to work.

"We should head to the vehicle," Zirani said. "The buildings and packing are already being handled by others."

The vehicles were set in a row, and people were coming back and forth to store things inside the storage devices that were actually part of the vehicles, though I sensed there was also storage derived that had been attached.

They must have held a lot as I saw tons of cargo being placed in them, and there was actually a difference in the speed at which items dispersed. For storage deices of the plains, it took a second or two to palace the item in and take it out, but here there was no waiting. It was instantaneous.

I glanced at my storage ring. I needed to get one from the lands beyond the scar.

"You will, and more," Zirani said, having read my thoughts. She smiled. "After all you are the bonded of a princess and a daughter of the Main Umbrin family. You'll have the best items crystals can buy."

She wasn't wrong. Another thing to look forward to.

It took a little under half an hour to pack up, which was far faster than I expected. It was the diligence and efficiency of the people of the Green Court that was the cause, and once all was ready, Zirani led us to a medium-sized vehicle.

"Aeverie will be in that one." Zirani pointed to a vehicle that looked far sleekier than the rest and its shape was more curved with ornaments decorating it. Like the others, it had that odd plow as the front and threads, though I could tell from the enchantments it could also hover, and was bigger on the inside.

"Come on, let's get in," Zirani said. "Unless you guys want to be on view or traveling beside the vehicles when we pass? You'll have to jog alongside if you want to do that as we won't be going as slow as when the expedition came in. There will be little to no fanfare."

"I'll stay outside seated," I said. There were posts and seats on the sides and top of our vehicle, and from what I could tell from the enchantments and what Zirani had explained, could drive itself though it needed instructions set in for that, or it could be driven. Ours would be self-driven and would follow behind another.

Sandra and Zirani headed inside while Misty chose to remain with me. I guessed it was for the same reason. She wanted to see the plains off like I did as she had lived here for most of her life in relative peace and comfort. Sandra had also lived here, but not in peace and certainly not in comfort for most of it. She most likely didn't care for it as we did. The only truly good thing that happened to her in the plains was meeting me, Zirani, and Misty, and even then at first, it hadn't been love or anything, just a desire to go home. It had only evolved into such a relationship later on.

"Everybody on board and ready," A guard shouted. "We set in off in five minutes. Make sure everything is secure, and no one is missing. I'll be sending people through to do a quick check."

The check was quick and once it had been confirmed that everyone was here we got ready to set off and join the others who I could see had also packed up and were ready.

"It seems we'll be up first," Misty said as our vehicles started up and moved forwards, ahead of any other groups. When we were out of the plaza, I looked back and saw that behind us was the Umbrin clan.

"Off we go," I muttered.